Good morning, Swansea! This is the Swansea Scoop. The local newsletter that’s getting ready for the summer holidays!

As the season gets into full swing, the next six weeks are going to be packed with loads of great things to do throughout the city, and we’ll be sharing the best of it every week - for grown-ups and children alike - starting this week with everything from beach sculptures to Dirty Dancing.

Whatever you’re up to, have a great week and I’ll catch you on Wednesday!

Andrew

P.S. If you’re looking to keep the children busy during the school holidays, don’t miss our Swansea Summer Passport - all the details below!

SWANSEA SUMMER PASSPORT 🌞

Introducing… The Swansea Summer Passport!

Designed especially for families and children, we’ve handpicked over 30 activities in Swansea to enjoy throughout the summer holidays - from one-off events, to hidden gems, and well-known favourites - many cheap or completely free! 

It's the perfect way to pass the time with mini adventures and to make some amazing memories on your doorstep! How many can you tick off this summer holidays?

Click here to view the Swansea Summer Passport in full - and please share it to someone who needs to see it 🙂 

WEDNESDAY'S SCOOP (ICYMI) 🦢

In the basement of what is now Swansea Museum, Hugh Mahoney and his family once lived in a row of tiny, dark rooms. Above ground, the father of four worked as caretaker for some of Wales’s most distinguished gentlemen - that is, until his troubles caught up with him.

This week, discover how one Irishman’s money problems led to tragedy at sea and an extraordinary new life in Australia.

Read The Man Who LIved Under Swansea Museum

THE DIGEST 📰

🌉 Swansea’s iconic Sail Bridge will close for the next two weeks to receive a £40,000 upgrade to its walking and cycling surface.

🎤 Rapper Snoop Dogg has become a co-owner and investor in Swansea City FC, joining ownership group alongside Real Madrid legend Luka Modric.

🏘️ Construction will begin this summer on 31 affordable homes in Pontlliw despite local opposition.

🌳 A commemorative woodland to honour Swansea's war dead could cost up to £6m and require land equivalent to half of Singleton Park; dedicating existing trees has been recommended.

⚽ Swansea Council and Mumbles Community Council will jointly manage the troubled Underhill Park's sports pitches until the end of 2025.

🍟 McDonald's is seeking public support for plans to open its eighth Swansea location at Parc Tawe Retail Park north.

🌊 T £26m flood defence scheme protecting 1.2km of Mumbles shoreline has officially opened.

🔥 The owners of Worms Head Hotel in Rhossili have launched a GoFundMe campaign after a devastating accidental fire destroyed the roof and accommodation block.

SWANSEA PROPERTY

This 3-bed semi-detached house in Penllergaer has a spacious sun lounge extension, far reaching views from the rear, and is just just minutes from access to the M4. £299,995.

SWANSEA FOOD & DRINK 🍴

🎅 Celebrate Christmas early at Venue 42 on Friday, July 25th with a festive BBQ, entertainment by Cindy Volker, and a prize for the best fancy dress.

🧀 Flynn’s Favourite Things! is at Flynn’s Deli on Friday, July 25th, with tastings and stories behind 12 specialty food items and beverages.

🍰 Food by Sean No 600 has launched its Summer Afternoon Tea (“tipsy” option available!), served Monday - Sunday, 12 PM - 4 PM.

🍳 Boo’s Kitchen recently launched a new brunch menu, including a selection of meat options for the first time.

🥪 Grandad’s Front Room has opened on Eversley Road in Sketty (a spin-off location of Grandad Needs His Medicine in the city centre), serving its signature sandwiches and coffees.

@SWANSEA.SCOOP 📱

Did you know Swansea Museum had a basement? 😲Or that the museum’s caretaker and his family used to live down there in the 1800s? Swansea Museum recently invited us below ground for special look…

Check out the video below, and why not give Swansea Scoop a follow while you’re there? We’re now at over 15,100 followers on Instagram and over 16,000 on Facebook!

WHAT’S ON

Here comes a big round-up of everything else cool happening in Swansea this week. Ready? Let’s go!

Monday July 21st

🎨 Family Fun Mondays at Collaboration Station: Free family activities for kids up to 10 every Monday throughout the summer holidays, held at Collaboration Station in at the old St Davids Shopping Centre.
09:30 am - 11:30 am | Free

🛹 Exist Summer Fun Day: Enjoy a day of exciting activities at Portmead & Blaenymaes Community Centre with skateboard coaching, circus skills, graffiti workshops, and break-dancing.
10 AM - 1 PM | Free

🎈 Sketty Family Fun Day: Join the community at Sketty Community Church for a free family fun day with face painting, a cupcake competition, bouncy castle, craft stalls, henna tattoos, sports, local vendors, and more.
11 AM - 2 PM | Free

🛁 LUSH Swansea Summer Holidays Making Workshop: Create your own "Follow The White Rabbit" bath bomb at Lush Swansea, perfect for children 5+. Also on Wednesday.
12 - 2 PM | £5

🎨 Crafty Mondays at Mumbles Pier: Join Crafty Mondays at Beach Hut Cafe for free creative sessions every Monday during school holidays.
11 AM - 3 PM | Free

Tuesday July 22nd

🏖️ Beach Sculpture Festival 2025: Join the 21st annual festival creating marine-inspired sculptures on various Gower beaches all week. All ages can enjoy free workshops supporting marine life conservation.
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM | Free

🎾 60+ Tennis and Pickleball: Enjoy tennis and pickleball at Coed Gwilym Park, Swansea. General admission for those aged 60 and above.
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM | Free

🎉 Milkshake! Live - Milkshake! on Holiday: Join beloved Milkshake! characters like Smurfette, Dora, Blue, and Milkshake! at Swansea Grand Theatre on a fun-filled family holiday adventure!
12:00 PM | £20.50, Child £19.50

🖼️ Family Gallery Tour: Explore Glynn Vivian Art Gallery with a family-friendly guided tour, engaging children in drawing activities while adults delve into the gallery's history and contemporary collections.
2:00 pm - 2:45 pm | Free, donation £3 suggested

Wednesday July 23rd

🌊 LAS Theatre: Caspian’s Storm: Join Caspian in a magical adventure filled with puppetry, music, and laughs at The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. Perfect for ages 3+.
11.30 AM & 1.30 PM | From £5

📸 Free Photography Exhibition: Explore The Four Elements, an exhibition showcasing the beauty and power of earth, water, air, and fire at Fforestfach Retail Park. Until July 27th.
Free Entry

📚 Meet H from Steps: Ian H Watkins, known as "H" from Steps, visits Waterstones Swansea to sign his children's book "Pride and the Rainbow Warriors" — a colourful tale celebrating diversity.
2 PM | £8.99

🕺 Anton & Giovanni - Together Again: Anton Du Beke & Giovanni Pernice reunite for a spectacular dance extravaganza at Swansea Grand Theatre showcasing Ballroom, Latin, and Musical Theatre.
7:00 PM | £48.00 - £63.00

🎳 Swansea Bowls Open Day - Victoria Saints: Join the Swansea Lawn Bowls Open Day at Victoria Saints Bowls Club, All are welcome.
2 PM - 4 PM | Free

👶 Summer Baby Sessions (Under 1's): Enjoy Wednesday baby activities including massage, chat, and sensory play at Swansea Children's Centre throughout the summer holiday.
9:30 AM - 11:00 AM and 1 PM - 2.30 PM| Free

Stories, Myths & The Verry Volk of Gower - Family Workshops: Explore Gower's mysterious stories, myths, and legends at Gower Heritage Centre with guided tours, art activities, duck races, and more for families.
10:00 | £10 - £15

Thursday July 24th

🌞 Mumbles: Here Comes Summer: Live music, kids' disco, Crazy Characters, Natalia-Marie performaning, kids' rides, face painting, street food, and entertainment on Newton Road.
4:30 PM - 9:00 PM | Free

🦖 Unnatural History - Jurassic: Get creative at Swansea Museum with an artist-led project crafting fantastical creatures. Build unique animals or plants to take home or display.
10 AM - 1 PM | Free

🌼 Pollinator Crafts: Children aged 7-11 can enjoy an environmentally themed workshop at The Welfare, Ystradgynlais, creating seed paper with pollinators and wildlife creatures from recycled materials.
10 AM - 12:30 PM | £3 per child

🌿 Driftwood Garden Decor (Ages 12+): Craft driftwood sculptures, bird boxes, or wind chimes inspired by artist Kirsty Elson at The Welfare, Ystradgynlais.
1:30 PM - 4 PM | £3 per child

🐝 Dementia Friendly Activity: Honeybees: Meet the National Waterfront Museum’s bees with the Beekeeper, enjoy a craft activity, discussions, and refreshments.
1 PM - 3:30 PM | Free (booking required)

Friday July 25th

🌞 Potens Festival of Fun in the Sun: An ALN Adults-only event with a Crazy Characters disco, glitter tattoos, magician, and more at Dyfatty Community Centre. Best festival outfit wins a prize!
10 AM - 2 PM | Free

🎶 An Evening of Song with Morriston RFC Male Choir: Enjoy a memorable performance by Morriston RFC Male Choir, soloists Jasper Hollet and Mared Phillips at All Saints' Church, Oystermouth.
7 PM | £12, Free under 16s

🏰 JOPOFEST25: Gower's camping and family music festival returns to Weobley Castle with three days of live entertainment, local food vendors, and children’s activities.
6 PM | From £17

📽️ Movie Night at Funky Fun Factory: Cosy up for the venue’s first ever Movie Night, with a choice between Moana 2 and Lilo & Stitch.
4:00 PM | £9.99 - £14.99

🎨 Mission Gallery Summer Craft Club - Natural Inks: Join an eco-friendly workshop exploring natural inks and pigments at Mission Gallery, creating mark-making materials for vibrant paintings.
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | £7

🏫 Summer @ Volcano: Craft activities, board games, and a family film every Friday during the summer holidays, with drinks, popcorn.
10:30 AM - 2:30 PM | Suggested donation £1

🦈 Meet the Researcher: UK Sharks: Join Dr Jack Cooper from Sharks4kids at Oriel Science for a fun, interactive talk about UK sharks, featuring real shark egg cases and the importance of shark conservation.
11:00 AM | Free

Saturday July 26th

👛 Uplands Market: Pop down to Gwydr Square for the monthly Uplands Market, where local traders bring you the best in local produce, food and drink, clothes, jewellery, art, and tons more.
9 AM - 1 PM

👗 Felindre Food & Crafts Market: Head to Felindre Hall and Grounds to find a wide variety of vendors selling everything from food and drink to jewellery, prints and homewares.
10 AM - 3 PM

🌞 YVA Summer Fayre: Enjoy a Summer Fayre at Cranes Pop-up in the city centre, featuring stalls filled with seasonal goodies.
11 AM - 3 PM

🌿 Border Patrol Garden Walk: Join head gardener Teifion Davies at Clyne Gardens to explore the midsummer garden stars, with off-path exploration!
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM | £3 per person

🎥 Outdoor Cinema: Dirty Dancing: Enjoy an outdoor screening of Dirty Dancing at the Lacrosse Field, Singleton Park.
8:45 PM | £7.88 - £26.25

📸 Street Photography: Join Swansea Photography Group in the city centre for a hands-on street photography class covering observation, interaction with subjects, settings, focus, and lens choices.
10 AM - 12 PM | £28

🧜‍♀️ Tides & Tales: Magical meet-and-greets with Moana and Ariel, live performances, an ocean adventure trail, creative activities, and a chance to explore over 40 species at Plantasia Tropical Zoo.
10 AM - 5 PM | £0 - £40.75

🌿 Summer Funday: Join the free event at Cwmdonkin for a Nature Trail at 2pm, followed by a Magic Show with Kelly and Debbie at 3pm.
2 PM | Free

🌳 Parc Llewelyn Fun Day: Enjoy a day of fun at Parc Llewelyn with special guests, games, snacks, ice-cream, and hopefully some sunshine!
1 PM- 4 PM | Free

The Princess Proms: Swansea: Magical concert at Brangywn Hall featuring enchanting songs from Frozen, Moana, The Little Mermaid, and more. Princess attire recommended for a delightful experience.
2 PM | From £17.52

🍕 Wicked Pizza Party: Return of the magical Oz-inspired pizza party at Mumbles Pier with games, music, meet & greets, and themed craft activities at Beach Hut Cafe. Dressing up encouraged!
5 PM - 7 PM | £5 - £45

🔮 Paranormal & Psychic Event: Join Celebrity Psychic Marcus Starr at the Holiday Inn Express Swansea-East for captivating Paranormal Investigations and Psychic Mediumship.
7 PM | £20

🤼‍♂️ Megaslam Wrestling: Experience Megaslam's first visit to Swansea Grand Theatre, where Team Nasty face Team Megaslam in a family-friendly wrestling event.
7:00 PM | £17.50

🕺 Boogie Days: Clubbing by day at Cu Mumbles, featuring groovy 70s, 80s, and 90s music, with cocktail promotions all afternoon.
3 PM - 8 PM | £10

Sunday July 27th

🎥 Outdoor Cinema: Jaws: Enjoy Spielberg's classic "Jaws" at the Lacrosse Field, Singleton Park. Follow the hunt for a man-eating shark in this iconic thriller.
8:45 PM | £7.88 - £15.75

🥮 Summer Craft and Food Fayre: Explore a variety of gluten-free baked goods, Moroccan street food, skincare, jewelry, crafts, and more at Three Crosses Community Centre.
11 AM - 3 PM | Free

🤠 Hoedown at the Albert Hall: Saddle up for a country western night at Cradock Street, featuring live music by Midnight Fiddle Band, line dancing lessons, street food, and a Buffalo Sunrise welcome drink!
8 PM - Late | £20

🩰 TPF Dance School Present: 'Movies & Musicals': Enjoy a showcase of dance performances inspired by movies and musicals at the Dylan Thomas Theatre.
2 PM & 6.30 PM | £12 - £14

LIVE MUSIC 🎸

Monday July 21st
The Uplands Tavern | Open Mic | 7.30 PM
Noah’s Yard | Jazz Club | 8.30 PM

Tuesday July 22nd
The Bayview | Open Mic | 8 PM

Wednesday July 23rd
Cu Mumbles | The Blackhawk Quintet | 7 PM

Thursday July 24th
Gin & Juice | Live Lounge Thursdays | 7.30 PM
Pontardawe Arts Centre | Stringfellows | 7.30 PM

Friday July 25th
The Albert Hall | Live Music Friday | 7 PM
Swansea Grand Theatre | A Night to Remember Motown Show | 7 PM
Strand Bar | We Are Zero | 7 PM
The Bunkhouse | Bloody Racket’s Summer Slam | 7 PM

Saturday July 26th
Sin City | Pop Punk Heroes | 7 PM
Elysium | Broken Fires | 7 PM
The Patti Pavilion | Coral and the Sea Spell | 6 PM
Jack Murphys Wind Street | Venga Boys Tribute | 4 PM
The Bunkhouse | Strange Company | 6 PM

Sunday July 27th
Waterloo Stores | Live Music Sundays | 8 PM
The Swigg | Sunday Sessions | 5 PM

THANKS 😊

Thanks for reading the Swansea Scoop. If you enjoyed it, share it with a friend who would find it useful as well.

Catch you on Wednesday!

Andrew.

✅ Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up

📧 Want to advertise your business to over 6,000 Swansea Scoop readers? Learn more

👉 Sometimes things change, so please check the details for events and activities directly with the organiser to avoid disappointment.